In today's highly competitive business environment, the ability to innovate is no longer a differentiator, it is a strategic necessity. Companies that incorporate innovation into their internal culture have 2,5 times more chances of exceeding your financial goals, according to a study by McKinsey.
For Filipe Bento, CEO of Atomic Group, innovation goes far beyond the adoption of new technologies. It is born from an environment that stimulates creativity, encourages collaboration and creates conditions for ideas to turn into concrete solutions. Innovative companies do not just react to changes, they anticipate and shape the future of their markets, affirms.
The Atomic Group, that brings together five companies focused on the growth of startups and business education, has innovation as one of its fundamental pillars. According to Filipe Bento, the basis of this mindset was shaped by the organizational culture of BR24, the first company of the group.
"BR24 has always valued the exchange of knowledge and collective building". This essence has been expanded to the entire Atomic group, creating an environment where people have the autonomy to experiment, to err and learn quickly. "Dreaming big is part of our DNA", explain.
To ensure that innovation occurs in a structured and constant manner, the group adopts practical and recurring initiatives. Among them, there are the Weekly and the Monthly — meetings that bring together employees from all the companies in the group to share insights, monitor projects and align strategic efforts. "Innovation happens in daily collaboration and the freedom to test new approaches". "We created an environment where each professional feels part of building the future", highlights Bento.
In addition to a conducive environment, leadership plays a fundamental role in consolidating the culture of innovation. For Bento, it is not enough to encourage creativity - it is necessary to create a space where innovation is a continuous practice.
"The role of leadership is to demonstrate in practice how collaboration can be a powerful strategic tool". Innovation does not happen in isolation, but at the intersection of ideas, in the challenge to the status quo and the willingness to test new solutions, emphasizes the CEO of Atomic Group.
The impact of this mindset is already reflected in the group's growth. A BR24, for example, recorded a revenue of R$ 20 million in 2024 and developed disruptive solutions such as Powerbot and PowerZap.
How to structure a culture of innovation within companies?
For Filipe Bento, implementing a culture of innovation requires concrete and daily actions that involve all levels of the organization. He lists some essential strategies to transform the corporate environment and foster innovation
Creating a channel of ideas – A space where employees can suggest improvements and innovations in a structured way.
Establish brainstorming meetings – Create regular meetings to discuss challenges and propose solutions, using methodologies like Design Thinking to stimulate creativity.
Implementing programmes to encourage innovation – Organize internal challenges to motivate teams to propose improvements and reward innovative ideas.
Invest in continuous training – Offer training on new methodologies and technologies to keep employees updated and prepared to innovate.
Run pilot tests – Validate new ideas on a small scale before applying them widely, reducing risks and optimizing the implementation of innovative solutions.
The culture of innovation, according to Bento, it is not built overnight, but rather with consistent initiatives that encourage experimentation and reward creativity. Companies that continuously innovate stand out because they create an environment where ideas not only emerge, but they are developed and implemented with strategy, finalizes.
